Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Amy Winehouse tributes anchor Obscure at 30Avenue, jazz greats Bobby Watson and Curtis Lundy take the stage at SOWAL House, and high energy showstoppers light up Distillery 98
The music of Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Amy Winehouse, a quartet led by acclaimed jazz legends Bobby Watson and Curtis Lundy, and a lineup of high energy showstoppers will converge across South Walton when SOWAL Jazz Fest returns October 22 through 24, 2026.
Presented by the nonprofit SOWAL Foundation, this year’s festival features 18 unique performances across three nights, with each venue offering its own distinct musical experience.
At Obscure 30Avenue, the spotlight turns to three of music’s most iconic voices, with dedicated tribute performances celebrating Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Amy Winehouse.
At SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, the festival dives deep into the jazz tradition with Bobby Watson and Curtis Lundy, two internationally respected artists whose careers span some of the most important names and institutions in modern jazz. Their quartet brings world class jazz into the intimate setting of SOWAL House.
At Distillery 98 in Santa Rosa Beach, the energy rises with a rotating lineup of high energy showstoppers, creating the festival’s most electric live music experience.
Every SOWAL Jazz Fest show is its own performance. Audiences can choose the artists, venues and nights they want to experience, moving between iconic songbooks, straight ahead jazz and high energy live performances throughout the weekend.
“This is really three different festival experiences happening at once,” said Dave King, President of SOWAL Foundation. “You can spend one night immersed in the music of an iconic vocalist, hear legitimate jazz legends in an intimate room, or go to Distillery 98 for a show that gets the whole place moving. Every venue has its own personality and every show is unique.”
For tickets and festival information visit SOWALJazzFest.com
